Research degree programmes

The Department of Social Policy

The Social Policy Department is one of the largest in the UK, with an international reputation for excellence.In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework|, the UK's nationwide assessment of research quality, impact and environment, the Department was ranked first in the UK for world leading and internationally excellent research and was also awarded the joint highest marks for the non-academic impacts of its work. When adjusted to take account of the high proportion of staff submitted to REF, it is the number one UK Social Policy Department for overall research quality.

The Department is able to offer supervision in a wide range of specialist areas, and, with its various research centres and over 80 current research students, provides a vibrant and exciting research community. Areas of specialisation:

- Analysis of poverty and social exclusion
- Area deprivation
- Civil society and non-governmental organisations
- Crime and criminal justice
- Education policy
- Ethnicity and social policy
- European and comparative social policy
- Family change and its consequences
- Gender and social policy
- Global social policy
- Health economics
- Health policy in the UK, Europe and internationally
- Multidimensional inequality and the future evolution of welfare states
- Social policy in developing countries
- Social rights in global (including European) contexts
- Social security, pensions and welfare reform

MPhil/PhD Social Policy
MPhil/PhD Demography/Population Studies

All students register initially for the MPhil programme. During their first year, MPhil students meet their supervisor(s) to refine their individual research topic and questions. The research degree is intended to provide training in research methods so students attend courses to improve their knowledge and research skills. They attend the Research Student Seminar course (SA550) led by the Doctoral Programme Directors, may be required to attend seminars in the Department of Methodology| on research methods, and are also encouraged to attend other graduate seminars relevant to the subject of their research.

At the end of the first year, students undertake a Major Review of their proposed research. On passing, students are upgraded to PhD status.This is a significant step and the Department needs to be sure, that students have a feasible research topic, research question(s) and methods. Students prepare a 10,000 word document which forms the basis for a discussion with a panel consisting of two senior members of the Department. If successful, students are transferred to the PhD programme with backdated registration.

In subsequent years, students continue their research under the guidance of their supervisors and are encouraged to present their work from time to time, by giving seminar presentations and conference papers. Each year students are asked to write a report on their progress for the Department. Continued registration depends on satisfactory progress.

The thesis for the PhD degree will not exceed 100,000 words. The programme normally lasts for three or four years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study. A three-plus paper format is acceptable for topics that fall within economics, demography or cognate disciplines.

Visiting Research Student programme

The Visiting Research Student programme is for those who do not wish to proceed to a higher degree, but want to pursue their own research with a supervisor who can support them in this research. Visiting research students can also be research and doctoral students registered at overseas universities wishing to undertake some aspect of their research in the UK. Certain seminars and classes can be attended subject to the advice and approval of the supervisor and teachers concerned.

Minimum requirements

The Department welcomes applications from students who have, or expect to obtain, a good Master's degree, together with an upper second or first class honours degree from a UK university or its equivalent abroad. Applicants will normally need Master's degree marks equivalent to an LSE high merit grade, with an overall average of 65% in their MSc (or equivalent) and 65% in their dissertation (or equivalent); any conditional offer for a place on the MPhil/PhD programme will be subject to obtaining such marks.

Part-time registration is available to students who need to spread their studies over a longer period because of outside commitments, and can provide documentary evidence of their need.

Please refer to the Graduate Prospectus| for full information on programmes, courses and entry requirements. For information on fees please refer to the Table of Fees|. Please note that fees are paid each year (academic session) for which you are registered, and normally rise each year. They do not stay the same as the year in which you started.

If potential applicants are interested in establishing whether the Department currently has staff working in the proposed area of research, they will find details of the research interests of staff within the LSE Experts Directory| or on the Department's Who's Who| webpages.

Prospective candidates for the MPhil/PhD in Social Policy

are not expected to contact potential supervisors in advance of their application. Identifying supervisors is part of the selection process. Due to the high volume of enquiries, potential supervisors are unlikely to be able to provide feedback on enquiries and outline proposals. Applicants should submit formal applications with research proposals that fully cover the elements required. See Applications section below.

Applications should include a written proposal of up to 4,000 words which gives details of the particular issue/problem to be addressed; relevant literature and previous research in the field; the theoretical/conceptual framework to be adopted; the proposed research question(s); and the planned research methods to answer the research question(s). This will enable the Department to make an informed decision about the proposal and, equally important, to establish if there are appropriate supervisors for the planned research. Two supervisors are normally identified at this stage.

You will also be required to provide a sample of written work, a personal statement and two academic references with your application. Full information on how to apply is provided at: How to Apply|.

The Department normally interviews shortlisted applicants before any offer of a place is made.

Applications are normally only considered for a Michaelmas Term start, i.e. to start at the beginning of the academic year in September/October.

ESRC Studentships (1+3 and +3) for UK and EU students

1 + 3 scheme

The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training Masters linked to a three year PhD and is designed for students who have not already completed an ESRC-recognised programme of research training.

LSE has been awarded ESRC Doctoral Training Centre status and offers a total of 36 studentships a year spread across disciplines. The following programmes are eligible for funding within the Department of Social Policy:

Transfer from the one-year MSc programme to the three-year MPhil/PhD programme is dependent on obtaining high marks in the Masters degree.

+ 3 scheme

The + 3 scheme provides three years funding for the MPhil/PhD programme for students who have already achieved an ESRC recognised 'research training' MSc or have undertaken equivalent research training.

Applications for the ESRC 1+3 programme:

If you wish to be considered for a 1+3 programme, you must include an outline research proposal with your application for the relevant MSc. The research proposal should normally be up to 4,000 words for Social Policy and up to 1,500 words for Demography. See also Applications section above.

If you wish to be considered for the +3 funding, you should submit an application for the programme as above with information on your ESRC recognised 'research training' MSc. If you do not have the ESRC recognised research training, you will need to include information on the training that you have already undertaken with a statement making the case of its equivalence in particular with regard to research methods training.

Applicants wishing to be considered for ESRC funding should ensure they have submitted a complete application for admission, including transcripts and references, by 27 April 2015 .

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not been taught entirely in English at degree level, are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. The most common qualifications are the IELTS or TOEFL tests. Applicants do not need to have the required marks when they apply, but they would form a condition of any offer issued, and would have to be achieved before registration.

The Student Recruitment Office provides information| aimed at prospective applicants coming from outside the UK. Select the relevant region, click on the country of your choice and go to the entry requirements section on the left menu. This section provides detailed information of equivalence of non-UK qualification for the chosen country.

Applicants are not expected to identify potential supervisors beforehand as this is part of the selection process. If you are interested in establishing whether the Department currently has staff working in your proposed area of research, you can find details of the research interests of all staff within the Department's Who's Who webpages| or on the LSE Experts Directory|. If you feel that one of the academics in the Department has interests that fit with yours, you can name him/her and he/she would normally be asked to consider your research proposal.

Unfortunately, because of the high volume of enquiries, staff are not normally able to reply to requests for help with research applications or provide comments on PhD proposals.

Distance learning is not offered. All students are required to be in regular attendance at the LSE during their first year, so as to attend courses, supervisory meetings and seminars. In exceptional circumstances, students may be granted permission to reside outside the UK while continuing with their research programme.

Part-time registration is available to students who need to spread their studies over a longer period because of outside commitments, and can provide documentary evidence of their need as outlined on the Research Degrees Unit webpage|.

There is not a separate MPhil programme run by the LSE. First year students are registered as MPhil students initially but are normally upgraded to the PhD programme after they have passed Major Review at the end of their first year.

Early application to this programme is recommended especially if you wish to be considered for funding. Applications received before 1 July 2014 are more likely to be successful, although, if places are still available, we may consider applications later than this date.

Please note that the selection process for LSE PhD and Research Council Studentships will take place in two rounds, and all students are advised to aim for the first round if possible. The funding deadlines are 12 January and 27 April 2015. Students will not be considered for funding unless they have been offered a place on the MPhil/PhD programme (this requires that all documentation has been provided and the application considered by the Department).

Application deadline:
Rolling admissions until early July. Please note that the selection process for the LSE PhD and Research Council Studentships will take place in two rounds, and all students are advised to aim for the first round if possible.
The funding deadlines are :12 January 2015 and 27 April 2015. Selection for funding is based on receipt of an application for a place- including all ancillary documents.

Minimum requirements: Higher merit in a master's degree, preferably in Social Policy or Public Policy, plus 2:1 bachelor's degree.

Financial support:
LSE scholarships and studentships (see Fees and Financial support).
LSE is an ESRC Doctoral Training Centre. The MPhil/PhD Social Policy is part of the 'Social Policy' group of accredited programmes for ESRC funding (see Economic and Social Research Council). The MPhil/PhD Demography/Population Studies is part of the Environment, Energy and Resilience group. UK/EU students are eligible for nomination. Advanced Quantitative Methods students receive additional funding.

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